North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, and his daughter were recently captured on camera engaging in target practice with pistols at a munitions factory’s firing range. The duo tested a purported “new-type pistol” during their inspection of the light munitions factory, as reported by North Korean propaganda. Kim Jong-un praised the factory for its crucial role in enhancing the combat efficiency of the country’s army and lauded the pistol’s quality.
At the factory, Kim Jong-un urged for increased production capacity and the establishment of a new production line. Both Kim Jong-un and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, were dressed in black attire during the visit, with Kim Ju Ae seen alongside senior military officials. This visit highlights the regime’s shift towards focusing on conventional military aspects after years of emphasis on nuclear weapons development.
According to Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at South Korea’s Kyungnam University, the pistol-shooting event symbolizes Kim Ju Ae’s development as a potential military leader. The regime aims to portray her as a strong and capable figure within the military hierarchy. Speculation has been rife since late 2022 that Kim Ju Ae might be groomed for a leadership role, with South Korean intelligence agencies suggesting her involvement in policy decisions.
Over the past year, Kim Ju Ae has been more prominently featured in public appearances, attending missile launches and international events like China’s “Victory Day” parade. South Korea is assessing the possibility of her being internally designated as a successor. Meanwhile, North Korea has been showcasing its military strength amidst tensions, with Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, issuing warnings in response to joint military drills by the US and South Korea.
North Korea, known for its large military force, has frequently made threats against South Korea, with Kim Jong-un recently stating the capability to “completely destroy” the South if provoked. The country’s military posture remains aggressive, with recent developments suggesting internal power shifts within the ruling regime. During the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party, Kim Yo Jong assumed a new role as a department director at the Korean Central News Agency, signaling a consolidation of power under Kim Jong-un’s leadership.
